There are just some trails you find yourself returning to over and over again. Ozette Triangle is one of those trails for me. I’ve completed it as a day hike and backpacked this trail multiple times, and have no doubt I’ll be back again.

On Ozette Triangle, you’ll experience ancient coastal forests, boardwalk trails through wetlands, petroglyphs, and campsites along the shore. At only 9.4 miles round trip, this trail is great for a longer day hike and a quick overnight.

In this guide, I will share all you need to know about hiking, backpacking, and preparing for your journey around this incredible coastal trail. If that sounds good to you, let’s get into it!

Just a heads up! This post contains affiliate links, which means I could earn a small commission on purchases at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!

The Only Guide for Ozette Triangle in Olympic National Park

Of all of the backpacking trips in Olympic National Park, Ozette Triangle is probably the most accessible for novice backpackers. You get a legitimate wilderness experience without brutal mileage, sketchy river crossings, and rocky elevation gain.

While you will need to be cautious of tides along this trail, it is pretty straightforward, and you will not need to navigate across long overland rope sections like those along Toleak Point. I’ll go over all the tide information below!

The triangle-shaped trail connects three points: the Ozette Ranger Station on Lake Ozette, Sand Point, and Cape Alava. Each leg of the trail is slightly different, so I would encourage you to complete the entire loop, but it is possible to just complete the Cape Alava Trail as an out-and-back.

General Trail Information

Ozette Triangle is not a trail you accidentally stumble upon; the trailhead sits at the end of a 21-mile road from Highway 112 toward Neah Bay. Most park visitors skip this trail entirely in favor of more well-known destinations in Olympic, like Rialto Beach or Hurricane Ridge, meaning this trail can appropriately be named a hidden gem.

Before you head out, make sure you know the following information:

Location of Ozette Triangle

Ozette Triangle is located on the ancestral lands of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla, Quileute, and Makah tribes. We are grateful for the stewards of this land, past and present. We are honored to be and recognize that we are guests on this land.

Getting to Ozette Triangle

Ozette Triangle is located on the far west side of Olympic National Park and is just over 4 hours outside of Seattle, WA. It can be a toss-up on whether taking the Kingston-Edmonds Ferry or driving around through Olympia is the faster route. Information on the ferry system can be found here.

Using Port Angeles as a starting point, continue on Highway 101 for 5 miles before turning right onto State Route 112. Stay on State Route 112 for 38 miles before veering right to remain on SR 112 for an additional 10 miles. Turn left onto Hoko Ozette Road. Remain on the road until you reach the trailhead parking lot next to the Ranger Station.

The road conditions of Hoko Ozette Road/ Ozette Lake Road are moderate. Any vehicle can safely drive this park service road with some caution for low-riding vehicles.

Trailhead Facilities

The trailhead for Ozette Triangle is just past the Ozette Ranger Station. There is a large restroom facility as well as freshwater access if you need to fill up any water reservoirs prior to hiking or backpacking. The parking lot for the trailhead is large, but as this is a relatively busy trail, in the summer, it is always important to get to the trailhead early. This is especially true during high periods of backpacking traffic, as cars will be left overnight and parked in spaces for multiple days. 

Passes/Permits

Ozette Triangle is located in a National Park, so regardless of whether you are backpacking or day hiking, you will need an America the Beautiful Pass. There is no gate at this entrance, so you’ll leave the pass in your windshield.

Wilderness Permit

In addition to an America the Beautiful Pass, backpackers will also need backpacking permits, which you can purchase on Recreation.gov. These permits help manage the number of visitors utilizing the campsites and preserve the park’s delicate ecosystem.

Permits are $8 per person per night plus a $6 processing fee. Reference the image below for help booking your campsite.

Season to Visit

One of the best parts of Ozette Triangle is that this trail is accessible year-round. But there are some conditions you will want to be aware of, depending on the time of year.

• Spring: Arguably the best time of year to hike this trail, you can expect regular but light rain. The trail will be lush, and the freshwater source will be available. The trail will be busy, but campsite rarely sell out.
• Summer: Expect hot days on the trail with busy campgrounds. The weather is drier, but the reliable water sources at Sand Point will still have water.
• Fall: Rain returns along with larger tides, but temperatures are still mild and make for an enjoyable time.
• Winter: Large swing tides and bigger waves. You’ll need to be more cautious while hiking along the ebach. You can expect it to rain at any minute on the trail.

Always check the weather forecast before heading out and pack for the rain. Even in the summer season, you should bring a rain cover for your day pack and a rain jacket.

The Washington coast gets over 100 inches of precipitation each year.

Related Read: Best Olympic Coast Trails

Hiking Ozette Triangle

Ozette Triangle can be broken into three main sections…go figure…it is actually a triangle.

The direction that you take is entirely up to you, but based on the recommendation of a popular trail guide “100 Classic Hikes of Washington”, it was suggested to begin the trail towards Cape Alava. Either way you go, you’ll have minimal elevation gain.

Lake Ozette to Sand Point (3.1 miles)

Follow the path across the footbridge until you reach the junction. From there, you have the option to hike towards Cape Alava or Sand Point. I chose to hike towards Sand Point first, contrary to the book’s recommendation. I did this because I had forgotten that it was suggested, but I was grateful to have the sun at my back during the beach section rather than in my eyes, so it worked out for the best.

This first section of forest mostly followed a boardwalk. There was an occasional step up or down but the trail was predominantly flat. It was wide enough for oncoming hikers to pass with ease. This section of the trail passed by quickly and eventually we were emerging out onto Sand Point.

At Sand Point, there are some campsites and plenty of washed-up logs to take a rest. This was a great lunch spot, as it was about noon by the time we finished the four-and-a-half-hour drive to the trail from Seattle and the three miles to Sand Point. Sand Point is a great area to explore, and on a hot day, an especially great area to get in the water to cool off.

Sand Point to Cape Alava (3.0 miles)

Continuing north towards Cape Alava, the beach walk is sandy and at times rocky. There were a number of large trees blown down across the beach that created an obstacle for hiking around, over, or under.

As with any beach hike, tides need to be considered. While most of the hike can be completed without consideration of the tides, there is a rocky area about four and a half miles into the hike that will require the use of an overland if crossing at anything other than low tide. 

The rocky areas along this trail can become dangerously slippery, but they can also be greatly rewarding as they are home to some spectacular tidal pools. Be sure to take time to look in the shallow pools for sea stars, urchins, sea anemones, and, if you’re extremely lucky, an east Pacific red octopus hanging around the sea stacks.

Pay attention to your trail map because just under five miles, you’ll reach Wedding Rocks, which have ancient Native American petroglyphs. They’re easy to miss, but they depict stories of whales from the Makah tribe. If the tide is high, you will need to take a short overland trail that climbs over large rocks in a rocky area.

Cape Alava to Lake Ozette (3.3 miles)

After reaching the end of the beach section, there is a short incline up a sand bar where a collection of campsites is, and the last section of the trail. The beach section of this trail is definitely tiring! If you are going to be camping at Cape Alava, you will veer to the left to find a campsite for your group, if you are finishing your day hike, keep to the right and continue along the marked trail.

Most of the hike back will also be on an elevated path.

The last section of the hike is through another coastal forest section. Just like the first forest section, it is mostly along a boardwalk. The boardwalk was recently restored in 2021, and my good friend, Claire, was part of the trail crew!

Managing Tides on Ozette Triangle

Tides can make or break your trip on this trail. The section between Cape Alava and Sand Point has multiple spots where the headlands meet the water, and at high tide, those spots become impassable along the main trail.

Here is how to stay safe and on schedule when navigating tides:

1. Download a tide chart before you leave. You will most likely not have cell service at the trailhead, so check for tides before you leave Port Angeles. I use NOAA Tide Predications.
2. Plan to hike the beach section within two hours of low tide. This will give you the most amount of time on the sand and the least amount of stress to rush the beach section.
3. Know your overland bailout option. If you miss the low tide window, you can take an inland trail that bypasses the headlands, but it adds some distance and elevation.
4. Watch for waves. The Pacific Ocean is no joke. Stay above the high tide line and always keep one eye on the ocean.

If you are hiking Ozette as an overnight, you’ll camp at Cape Alava or Sand Point. Set up camp in one of the designated campsites; do not camp on the beach.

Backpacking on Ozette Triangle

There are two main camping areas on the Ozette Triangle Trail: Cape Alava and Sand Point. Both are located right on the beach and can fill up in the summer. When you’re reserving your camping permit on Recreation.gov, you will just reserve permits for the number of people in your group, but there is no assigned campsite. Everything is FCFS once you get there.

Camping at Cape Alava

The sites are spread along the tree line. You will find large flat spaces to lay out your tents. The best sites are tucked into the trees to protect you from the wind, but still have an ocean view. Water is available from a small creek, but you will need to filter it. There are tannins in the water that turn the water bright orange, it is still safe to drink.

Camping at Sand Point

Sand Point is similar to camping at Cape Alava, but the campsites are tucked further into the forest and farther away from the shore. There is a freshwater creek here as well. The south Sand Point water sources can dry up in late summer, so be cautious with your water around that time of year.

Camping Rules

Similar to any other backpacking trip in the Olympics, here are some rules to follow:

• Bear-safe food storage is required. There are no bear poles here, so I would recommend bringing a bear can over a bear bag. Don’t have a bear canister? You can rent one at an Olympic Wilderness Information Center.
• Camp at least 200 feet from water sources. Since the campsites are pretty established, this shouldn’t be difficult.
• No fires above the high tide line. You can build a fire on the beach using driftwood, but not forest wood. Make sure all fires are completely extinguished when done.
• Pack everything out. If you carry it in, you carry it out.
• Use the available pit toilet. Both campsites have outhouses that should be used instead of going outdoors. If you do need to go elsewhere, dig a cat hole at least 200 feet from water and trails. Pack out your toilet paper.

What to Pack for Ozette Triangle

While this list will vary significantly depending on whether you plan on hiking this trail in a day or as an overnight, here is some gear you will want specifically for this trail, regardless:

1. Rain Cover: The last thing you want to happen on the trail is to be caught in a rain storm, but even worse is for all your gear to get wet. Bring a rain cover for your pack always.
2. Map: Have a downloaded trail map. I use AllTrails Premium for their offline maps.
3. Headlamp: Bring a headlamp for navigation in the early morning or at night.
4. Water Filter: Even on a day hike, I would bring a water filter for filtering the FRESH water sources. I typically carry the HydraPak Flux+ on day hikes and overnights.
5. Good Footwear: You will want comfortable shoes for the long day on the trail, walking on boardwalks, across sand, and across some rocky areas. I used my Oboz Bridger Boots for this trail.
6. Binoculars: There is a ton of marine life in the area: sea otters, sea lions, and the occasional orca. Packing a pair of binoculars will help spot them!
7. Bear Safe Food Storage: Even on a day hike, you will want to be cautious of how you pack your food due to the active black bears in the area. Backpackers are required to carry a bear can.
8. Tide Chart: There are portions of the trail that are best hiked during lower tides, so make sure you have a tide table handy!
9. Garmin: Since cell service is nonexistent in this area, bringing a satellite communication device would be helpful. I use the Garmin InReach Mini.
10. Sitting Pad: For taking a break on the trail or hanging around camp, a lightweight sitting pad is perfect for keeping your butt dry and clean!

Should Ozette Triangle be a 100 Classic Hike?

Since moving to Washington in 2018, I have made it a mission to hike and backpack the best trails that Washington State has to offer. In doing that, I have been using the incredible trail guide “100 Classic Hikes of Washington” by Craig Ramano.

After hiking the trails for myself, I consider whether the trail has earned the title.

My conclusion for Ozette Triangle? It should absolutely be considered a Washington Classic. The entire Ozette Triangle Loop is gorgeous. Seeing the ancient petroglyphs on Wedding Rocks was incredible to see.

This is a great place to learn how to backpack because it is relatively low stakes, and even as a day hike, it is fantastic.

Olympic National Park has some incredible, diverse ecosystems, but the coastal ecosystem is one of my favorites.

Want to check out the trail guide for yourself? You can purchase it here.

Let me know in the comments if you think Ozette Loop deserves the title of 100 Classic Hikes of Washington!

What to do after your hike…

The Olympic Peninsula has so much to do! If you’re staying a day, weekend, or week, you will not run out of things to do.

Here are some of my favorite things to do in the area:

1. Hike to Cape Flattery: Cape Flattery is the most westernmost point in the contiguous United States. You’ll need to grab a Recreation Permit from the Makah Tribe.
2. Jump in Lake Crescent: You will drive past Lake Crescent to get back to Port Angeles, and it is a great place for a chilly plunge.
3. Drive the Olympic Coast: Continue the drive south down Highway 101 and see some of the iconic places like Rialto Beach, Tree of Life, Ruby Beach, and Second Beach.
4. Grab a beer: Stop at Mighty Pine Brewing for a post-hike brewski and fresh tacos.

---

You might also like…

• 11 Epic Beach Hikes in Olympic National Park
• The Ultimate Enchanted Valley Backpacking Guide
• Complete Hiking Guide for Shi Shi Beach and Point of the Arches
• Best Backpacking Trips in Olympic National Park
• Bears in Olympic National Park Safety Guide

---